NBA Finals 2012: Will the Oklahoma City Thunder Win the Championship in 6 Games?

Chesapeake Energy Arena figures to play a major role in the 2012 NBA Finals that starts on Tuesday night, with the Oklahoma City Thunder holding home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series against the Miami Heat.

Oklahoma City has won all eight of its home games in the 2012 NBA playoffs, posting a 34-7 record inside the venue since the start of the 2011-12 regular season. That mark included a convincing 103-87 win over Miami as two-point favorites on March 25.

Bovada sports book has the Thunder winning the series in six games as the favored option at betting odds of 11-4, while the biggest underdog price (16-1) has the Heat sweeping all four contests.

Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are certainly capable of winning on the road, but it's important to note that the Heat have dropped five of six games this year when getting points, which will be the situation in every game played on this floor in the series.

The Thunder have registered a 6-2 straight-up record when lacing up as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points this season, but both setbacks came against Western Conference opponents.  

Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook will be playing for their first NBA championship in their young careers, while the other "Big Three" have reached this stage for a second straight year.

Miami opened up the 2011 NBA Finals with a 92-84 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1, but ultimately lost the series in six games.

Will history repeat itself?

The road begins in front of a raucous crowd on Tuesday night.

Follow Jeff Grant on Twitter